Abstract: One aspect is an apparatus including an additively manufactured component including a surface with an end effector feature, the end effector feature co-additively manufactured with the additively manufactured component and configured to be gripped by a corresponding end effector on a robot. In an aspect, the end effector feature includes a recess in the surface. In another aspect, the recess includes an angled face. In an aspect, the recess has a teardrop shape. An aspect further includes an identification feature. In an aspect, the end effector feature includes a plurality of recesses in the surface. In another aspect, the end effector feature enables a 3-point kinematic self-aligning positive control lock.

Abstract: An approach to positioning one or more robotic arms in an assembly system may be described herein. For example, a system for robotic assembly may include a first robot, a second robot, and a control unit. The control unit may be configured to receive a first target location proximal to a second target location. The locations may indicate where the robots are to position the features. The control unit may be configured to calculate a first calculated location of the first feature of the first subcomponent, measure a first measured location of the first feature of the first subcomponent, determine a first transformation matrix between the first calculated location and the first measured location, reposition the first feature of the first subcomponent to the first target location using the first robot, the repositioning based on the first transformation matrix.

Abstract: Aspects are provided for retaining components of an assembly to a support, including additively manufactured (AM) parts of a vehicle chassis to an assembly table. A cartridge for securing the component to the assembly table is provided which includes a housing including at least one compartment, an adhesive disposed within the at least one compartment, a fastener removably attached to the assembly table, and a membrane lid enclosing an opening of the housing. The membrane lid is configured to receive a protruding member from the component such that the protruding member becomes adhered to the adhesive upon penetrating the membrane lid. The cartridge thus allows the component to be quickly retained in any selected position while constraining movement of the component along six degrees of freedom, thereby allowing AM and non-AM parts to be securely retained to accommodate strict tolerance and precise fit between the components of the assembly.

Abstract: An approach to positioning one or more robotic arms in an assembly system may be described herein. For example, an apparatus may include a first robotic arm having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end may be configured for movement and the proximal end may secure the first robotic arm. The apparatus may further include a camera connected with the distal end of the first robotic arm. The camera may be configured to capture image data of a marker connected with a second robotic arm and provide the image data to a computer. The computer may generate a set of instructions for the first robotic arm based on the image data of the marker. The movement of the first robotic arm may be caused by the computer according to the generated set of instructions.

Abstract: In the present disclosure, systems and apparatuses for enabling modular attachment of a plurality of devices are described. In one aspect, an apparatus may include a center rail having a distal end and a proximal end. The apparatus may further include a first flange coupled with the proximal end and a second flange coupled with the distal end. The apparatus may further include a collar disposed around the center rail and between the first flange and the second flange. The apparatus may further include at least one arm connected with the collar, and the at least one arm may be configured to connect with a modular attachment.

Abstract: An approach to positioning one or more robotic arms in an assembly system may be described herein. For example, a system for robotic assembly may include a first robot, a second robot, and a control unit. The control unit may be configured to receive a first target location proximal to a second target location. The locations may indicate where the robots are to position the features. The control unit may be configured to calculate a first calculated location of the first feature of the first subcomponent, measure a first measured location of the first feature of the first subcomponent, determine a first transformation matrix between the first calculated location and the first measured location, reposition the first feature of the first subcomponent to the first target location using the first robot, the repositioning based on the first transformation matrix.

Abstract: A buffer block apparatus for securing a node may be described. The buffer block apparatus may include a first surface having disposed thereon at least one first zero-point feature configured for a first zero-point interface with a robotic assembly apparatus; and a second surface, different from the first surface, configured to connect with a first surface of a node and form a first rigid connection between the buffer block apparatus and the node, wherein the buffer block apparatus provides at least one reference coordinate system with respect to the node.

Abstract: Manufacturing cell based vehicle manufacturing systems and methods for a wide variety of vehicles are disclosed. In one aspect, a manufacturing cell configured for assembling a frame of a vehicle is disclosed. The manufacturing cell includes a positioner, a robot carrier and a robot. The positioner is configured to receive a fixture table configured to hold the frame. The robot carrier includes a vertical lift. The robot is configured to assemble the frame. The positioner is configured to support the frame in a vertical position during an assembling process. In another aspect of the disclosure, a system for manufacturing a vehicle based on a manufacturing cell is disclosed. In another aspect of the disclosure, a method for manufacturing a vehicle based on a manufacturing cell is disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects are provided for retaining components of an assembly to a support, including additively manufactured (AM) parts of a vehicle chassis to an assembly table. A cartridge for securing the component to the assembly table is provided which includes a housing including at least one compartment, an adhesive disposed within the at least one compartment, a fastener removably attached to the assembly table, and a membrane lid enclosing an opening of the housing. The membrane lid is configured to receive a protruding member from the component such that the protruding member becomes adhered to the adhesive upon penetrating the membrane lid. The cartridge thus allows the component to be quickly retained in any selected position while constraining movement of the component along six degrees of freedom, thereby allowing AM and non-AM parts to be securely retained to accommodate strict tolerance and precise fit between the components of the assembly.

Abstract: In the present disclosure, systems and apparatuses for stabilizing a metrology device may be provided. The metrology device may be connected with a metrology apparatus that may prevent and/or correct for unintended movement of the metrology device. The metrology apparatus may include a base plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, and the base plate may include a plurality of holes from the top surface to the bottom surface. The metrology apparatus may further include a plurality of suspension rods, and a distal end of a respective suspension rod may be positioned through a respective hole such that a first portion of the distal end is disposed on the top surface of the base plate and a second portion of the distal end is disposed on the bottom surface of the base plate. The metrology device may be connected to the bottom surface of the base plate such that at least a portion of an assembly cell is within a field of view of the metrology device.

Abstract: An approach to positioning one or more robotic arms in an assembly system may be described herein. For example, a system for robotic assembly may include a first robot, a second robot, and a control unit. The control unit may be configured to receive a first target location proximal to a second target location. The locations may indicate where the robots are to position the features. The control unit may be configured to calculate a first calculated location of the first feature of the first subcomponent, measure a first measured location of the first feature of the first subcomponent, determine a first transformation matrix between the first calculated location and the first measured location, reposition the first feature of the first subcomponent to the first target location using the first robot, the repositioning based on the first transformation matrix.

Abstract: An approach to positioning one or more robotic arms in an assembly system may be described herein. For example, an apparatus may include a first robotic arm having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end may be configured for movement and the proximal end may secure the first robotic arm. The apparatus may further include a camera connected with the distal end of the first robotic arm. The camera may be configured to capture image data of a marker connected with a second robotic arm and provide the image data to a computer. The computer may generate a set of instructions for the first robotic arm based on the image data of the marker. The movement of the first robotic arm may be caused by the computer according to the generated set of instructions.

Abstract: In the present disclosure, systems and apparatuses for stabilizing a metrology device may be provided. The metrology device may be connected with a metrology apparatus that may prevent and/or correct for unintended movement of the metrology device. The metrology apparatus may include a base plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, and the base plate may include a plurality of holes from the top surface to the bottom surface. The metrology apparatus may further include a plurality of suspension rods, and a distal end of a respective suspension rod may be positioned through a respective hole such that a first portion of the distal end is disposed on the top surface of the base plate and a second portion of the distal end is disposed on the bottom surface of the base plate. The metrology device may be connected to the bottom surface of the base plate such that at least a portion of an assembly cell is within a field of view of the metrology device.

Abstract: In the present disclosure, systems and apparatuses for enabling modular attachment of a plurality of devices are described. In one aspect, an apparatus may include a center rail having a distal end and a proximal end. The apparatus may further include a first flange coupled with the proximal end and a second flange coupled with the distal end. The apparatus may further include a collar disposed around the center rail and between the first flange and the second flange. The apparatus may further include at least one arm connected with the collar, and the at least one arm may be configured to connect with a modular attachment.

Abstract: A buffer block apparatus for securing a node may be described. The buffer block apparatus may include a first surface having disposed thereon at least one first zero-point feature configured for a first zero-point interface with a robotic assembly apparatus; and a second surface, different from the first surface, configured to connect with a first surface of a node and form a first rigid connection between the buffer block apparatus and the node, wherein the buffer block apparatus provides at least one reference coordinate system with respect to the node.

Abstract: One aspect is an apparatus including an additively manufactured component including a surface with an end effector feature, the end effector feature co-additively manufactured with the additively manufactured component and configured to be gripped by a corresponding end effector on a robot. In an aspect, the end effector feature includes a recess in the surface. In another aspect, the recess includes an angled face. In an aspect, the recess has a teardrop shape. An aspect further includes an identification feature. In an aspect, the end effector feature includes a plurality of recesses in the surface. In another aspect, the end effector feature enables a 3-point kinematic self-aligning positive control lock.

Abstract: Manufacturing cell based vehicle manufacturing systems and methods for a wide variety of vehicles are disclosed. In one aspect, a manufacturing cell configured for assembling a frame of a vehicle is disclosed. The manufacturing cell includes a positioner, a robot carrier and a robot. The positioner is configured to receive a fixture table configured to hold the frame. The robot carrier includes a vertical lift. The robot is configured to assemble the frame. The positioner is configured to support the frame in a vertical position during an assembling process. In another aspect of the disclosure, a system for manufacturing a vehicle based on a manufacturing cell is disclosed. In another aspect of the disclosure, a method for manufacturing a vehicle based on a manufacturing cell is disclosed.